No one really teaches you the definitive protocol of client booking when you attune to Reiki or learn Indian head massage.
Each therapist seems to have their own way of working. This means that when you’re starting out it really is a case of trial and error.
Experience is the best tutor, but if being a healer or massage therapist is your main wage then it can be a pricey way of learning.
Some therapists use an electronic diary system. This means the potential client who wants to book a treatment is able to access a diary online. Here they can see what days and times the therapist has free. They can then choose a time slot and once they have done this the therapist receives notification.
Most of these programmes require a monthly subscription so it can be a costly investment for the beginner, though certainly something to consider for when times get busy.
The trickiest thing about being self-employed in private practice is the issue of no-shows or last-minute cancellations
Right now, I keep things simple. When a potential client gets in touch, I offer them a series of days and times that work for me. If they are unable to do those then I ask them what works for them and I see how best I can accommodate them.
It may mean a few emails back and forth but that’s never been an issue. In a way it starts to create a relationship, however small before the session takes place.
The trickiest thing about being self-employed in private practice is the issue of no-shows or last-minute cancellations. The problem is, as a freelance therapist one usually hires rooms either one day a week or ad hoc.
This room has to be paid for regardless of the number of clients one sees that day. When I was booking rooms ad hoc I would book a room specifically for a number of clients on a day. That meant I had to pay the venue regardless.
If the client then doesn’t show at the last minute for whatever reason, I am out of pocket that day. As an acting tutor I asked all first time students to pay a £10 deposit, so at least the room was covered. As a healer this approach did not resonate with me.
In my experience, Reiki clients usually fail to show or cancel in much the same way as with conventional therapy sessions. The anxiety of facing personal issues or delving deeper into themselves leads to finding some way to not make it or cancel.
So far it seems that providing in-between treatment contact via email has buffered this. The client is then not storing up anything that has come up for them until we next meet. They know I am on hand to advise them on this new healing process they are going through. Ultimately I have to respect that the pace of their healing is their decision and part of their journey.
If I was to be in a position where clients were cancelling at the last minute or not showing up more frequently, though, I would need to ask myself some serious questions. What is it about my service or the image I am putting across that in some way condones this?
Do I give the impression of lacking professionalism, which is why clients are not giving me that respect? What message do you need to be sending out about your practice?
We cannot avoid the aspect of the human condition that makes one person decide to not show up for a meeting. We can try and minimise the impact of it on our livelihood. Good business seems to be about respecting the service I am offering enough to set my own standards and not fear they will lead to loss of business or be judged negatively.
Since starting this entry, I had my first Indian head massage cancellation last week! The client had problems with transport and rather than ring me or email me, he waited until I had contacted him to tell me!
It made me realise that I perhaps should start protecting myself and not rely on good faith alone. With this in mind I have started a 24-hour cancellation policy which all clients are made aware of at the time of booking.
So far it has not been something that has been an issue, which is great and it also means I am safeguarded should this happen again. Perhaps I have this client to thank for making me aware of a very important issue for my business.
